Molds for swing leg anchors



Dec. 8, 1964 J. D. PAFENBERG 3,159,899

MOLDS FOR swzmc LEG ANCHORS Filed Nov. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR JO/V/V 0/745 PflFE/YBERG,

jWK/VEYS Dec. 8, 1964 J. D. PAFENBERG 3,159,399

JOHN MI 1 4mm 3!! I BY 93 #011104 & Quake/Mega MIA/Q55 1964 J. D.PAFENBERG 3,159,899

WTQLDS- FOR SWING LEG ANCHORS Filed Nov. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-S-Beet 3'United States Patent .0

3,3152%?9 MQLDS FGR SWlF-iG ANCHGRS John Bale Pafenherg, 5714 .EirchAva, McLean, Va. Filed Nov. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 2419,672 l Qlairn. {QL25-438} This invention relates to molds for swing leg anchor members. i

Childrens yard swing sets are enjoying commercial popularity, andprovide an inexpensive recreational outlet for the energies of childrenthat is useful in promoting their physical well-being. A typical swingset is purchased in knocked-down form and assembled athome for use inthe yard. The framework is generally of hollow pipe construction, and ismade up a main horizontal member supported at its ends by pairs ofdiverging leg members. When swings are attached to the main horizontalmember, the stability of the device is dependent upon the degree ofdivergence of the supporting legs. If the legs of each pair are widelyspaced at their bottoms, then the entire structure is more stable andless likely to rock or move about when the swings are used. The smallpipe members generally used in such constructions, together with theweight of the children and their vigorous activities, cause the ends ofthe legs to become embedded in the ground and tear up the lawn surface.Also, the entire structure tends to change its position because of therocking motion produced in swinging.

In permanent installations, such as school yards and the like, theproblems mentioned above are solved by embedding the ends of the legmembers securely in the ground so that the structure cannot move. Thisusually involves the digging of large holes in which the legs areplaced, often attached to buried weights, an, when the job is finishedthe swings may not be moved about or taken down. In accordance with thepresent invention the desirable attributes of the knocked-down andpermanent type swing sets are combined in a structure that has thedisadvantages of neither.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of a mold form whichpermits the easy application of anchor weights to swing leg members.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of an inexpensivemold form for attaching anchor weights by the ultimate user of a swingset, thereby avoiding the inconvenience and expense of storing andtransporting anchor weights prior to use.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a mold forattaching anchor weights to swing leg members which is incorporatedpermanently in the anchor weight and provides a decorative outercovering.

leg. Top and bottom elements are centered on the swing leg member andsecure the conical section between them to form a container for thematerial used as a weight. Preferably, the container serves as a moldfor the pouring of concrete, which may becolored suitably, to form apermanently attached weight on each swing leg. The conical wall memberis provided with an integral tear strip member to allow the removal ofthe form-after the concrete has hardened.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swing set utilizing leg anchor membersconstructed in accordance with the invention;

Still another feature is the provision of a form for anchor weights forswing leg members which is attached to the leg member and requires onlythe insertion of pre: formed weights to complete the structure.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a removable moldfornr'for swing leg anchor weights which is easily detached and re-used.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a mold formwhich is disposable and easily discarded after use.

The principles of the invention may be utilized in vari- FIGS. 2a and 2bare perspective and top views, respectively, of a swinleg member showingthe means for providing reinforcement for the concrete anchor;

ment of a mold form constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a mold formconstructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of a moldform utilizing the features of the present invention; and I FIG. 7 is aperspective view showing a still further embodiment of the invention.

The invention will be understood more readily by making reference to thedrawings in which FIG. 1 shows a typical yard swing set to which theprinciples of the invention have been applied. The swing set comprises amain horizontal member 1 supported at its ends by pairs of diverging legmembers 3, 5 7 and 9. Swings 11 and 13 are suitably suspended from thehorizontal member 1. On the bottom portions of legs 3, 5, '7 and 9 aredisposed anchor members 15, 17, 19 and 21, respectively.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show in detail how the anchor members 15, 17, 19 and 2.1are secured to the swing legs 3, S, 7 and 9. The swing leg members areprovided with holes through which are mounted conventional nails orspikes 23 and 25. The nails 23 and 25 extend entirely through the swingleg member 3 and wires 27' and 29 are 7 passed around swing leg member 3and attached to each end of the nails 23 and 25. This arrangementprovides a means for reinforcing the concrete anchor weight as it ismolded about the swing leg member. The arrangement also insures that theanchor member is firmly attached to the swing leg member. While othermeans of reinforcing are within the scope of the invention, the presentarrangement is illustrated as the preferred embodiment because of itssimplicity and the availability of materials.

The anchor weights of the present invention maybe applied by one ofseveral mold form constructions. FIG. 3 shows a body member 31 shapedasthe frustum of a cone and surrounding a swing leg member 3%. Althoughbody member 31 could be of cylindrical form, the conical shape isparticularly desirable because of the large boti tom area for a givenvolume. A cap member 33 forms a snug sliding lit with swing leg member3t? and is placed over the top of conical member 31. A base member 35 isprovided witha cut-out portion 37 to receive swing leg memberdtl.Basemember 35 has a plurality of tabs 38 to 43 formed of cut-outportions which are spaced to.

receive the bottom edge of conical member 31. When an anchormember is tobe molded, conical member 31 is fitted in position and held by tabs 38to 41 at the bottom portion of swing leg member 3%. Concrete is pouredin the upper end of conical member 31 until the member is completelyfilled and there is slight excess left at the top to fill the cap memberwhen it is applied. Cap member 33 is pushed down into position, and anyexcess con crete is squeezed out. When theconcrete is hardened, theanchor member is securely attached to the swing leg member 30. Prior tothe pouring of concrete, it is assumed that the swing leg member 3%? hasbeen prepared in a fashion similar to that shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b toprovide rte-enforcement for the: concrete and insure that the anchormember is securely attached to the swing leg member. 7

Conical member 31 shown in FIG. 3, together with cap member 33, are madeof suitable plastic materials, and may be provided with any desireddecorative effect. In the embodiment of FIG. 3 the members 31 and 33 aredesigned to become a permanent part of swing leg member 30 and are notremoved after the concrete has hardcried. Base member 35 is easilyremovedand discarded.

able and re-usable. In this arrangement the swing leg member4-5 issurrounded by conical body member 47 and cap member 49, which are splitalong their axes and as-- tencd togetherby means of fasteners 51, 53 and55. The

members 47 and 49 are preferably constructed of sheet metal, andcooperate with a base member 57 which may be of any desired material.When the concrete has been poured and has hardened, the body member 47and the cap member 49 may be removed by simply loosening the fastenermembers and lifting the sheet metal forms from around the hardenedconcrete. In an arrangement such as this, since the concrete is exposedin the final structure, it is often desirable to use a coloring mixturein the concrete to present a decorative eifect in the final product.\Vith the arrangement of FIG. 4 it is only necessary to use one form,since the form is re-usable and may be applied to each of the swing legsin turn.

FIG. 5 illustrates a disposable. mold form constructed in accordancewith the principles of the invention. A swing leg member is shown with aconical member 61 mounted thereon. Cap member 63 and base member 73 areprovided and perform functions similar to their corresponding partsdescribed in the previous. embodiments. In this arrangement, however,the device is constructed of waterproof paper or fibrous material. andthe conical body 61 is provided with a tear strip 65 having a pull tab67 attached thereto. The cap member 63 is provided with a tear strip 69having a pull tab 71 attached. The base member '73 is provided withattaching tabs 74 to 79 which are coated with a pressure-sensitiveadhesive to allow the easy application to conical body member 61,thereby holding base member 73 in secure relationship with the conicalmember 61. After the. concrete has been poured and has hardened,themembers 61 and 63 may be removed easily by ripping out tear strips 65and 69.

The pressure sensitive adhesive tabs '74 and 79; are also easily removedfrom the conical. member 6 1 toremove the base member 73.

.In the embodiment of FIG. 6 the mold form shown is. designedto bevattached permanently to the swing leg member.

The mold form is constructed of sheet metal 1 material and comprises aconical'body. member 83, cap; member 85 and base member 91 disposedaboutswing 1. leg member 81. The cap member 85 has an upper flangedesired.

swing leg member 31 similar to the locking provision of cap member 85.While the structure of FIG. 6 would be suitable for permanent attachmentusing poured concrete similar to the embodiments previously described,this arrangement is designed primarily for use with preformed weightmaterials which may be assembled around swing leg member 31 prior toapplying conical body member 83. This arrangement also lends itself tothe use of dry sand, gravel, or packed earth as a weight material.Although the structure is designed for permanent attachment to swing legmember 81, it is obvious that, since concrete is not cast into thestructure, the insertable pins (hi? and 8) may be removed at any timeand the structure disassembled.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodimentof the invention in which a unitaryplastic sheath-101 of conical shape en-' casesthe lower portion of legmember 1G3. A hole 105 in the top of the sheath 3191 allows the leg 103who inserted. The hole 195 is keyhole shaped, and portion 107 permitsconcrete to be poured intothe interior of sheath 101. After the concretehas hardened, the mold may be removed or left as an integral part of thestructure, as If the sheath is to become an integral part of I thestructure, appropriate decorative and coloring effects ciently anchoringyard swing sets. The swing legs are held securely in place when theswing is in use, yet the into thev structure by having one or more legssink into the ground is no longer present. The use of protruding metalclamps, bolts, sticks and, chains often utilized as mechanical anchoringdevices is eliminated and thereby reducing the accident hazards.

by even the most unskilled of handymen. "Use of the present inventionefficiently anchors the yard swing sets when soil conditions areunfavorable for the use of mechanical anchoring devices or buriedweights, e.g. stakes easily pull out of soil having a high sand orgravel content, and rocky or other impervious soils hamper the buryingof weights. 7

While the invention has'been shown and described with particularreference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form'and details may be. madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

.What is claimed is: j

A mold form 'for attaching anchoring weights to the leg members ofchildrens yard swing sets comprising a unitary llOllOWbO'dY member offrusto-conical shape for surrounding a'swing leg, a frusto-conical capmember.

with upper and lower flange portions, the upper end of said body memberfitting securely within the lower flange portion of said cap memberandthe upper flange portion portion 87 provided with a hole 89. The hole 89per- 97 provided for locking thebase member 91 in place on 7 5 of saidcap member being shaped for surrounding the swing leg and being providedwith a hole for securing said cap member to the swing leg by theinsertion of a pin "through the hole in the cap member and acorrespondnig hole in the swing leg, and a base member having a pair ofupturned'inner and outer concentric flanges, said outer fiange beingshaped to receive the'lowcr end of said body member'and saidinner'flange having a hole therein and being shaped for surrounding theswing legto permit the insertion of a pin through the hole in said innerflange and a corresponding hole in the swing leg, whereby said structureforms a container for a suitable weight material used The ease andeconomy of application allows the present invention to be used as ananchoring weight for the swing leg and providing'an enlarged baseportion to permit the swing leg to rest upon the surface of a lawnwithout digging in and marring the surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Logan 189,29Haase 25-121 Haase 25121 McCoy 1 25--124 Leonard 25121 Ham -2 25123 Hay25118 Mason et a1. 50186 1 1/ 43 Klingberg 25154 1/53 Morser 25118 1 1/5 3 Henry. 1

5/54 Copenhaver et a1 25-1 18 11/54 Christiansen 25-1 18 12/58 Ford eta1 25--118 1/ 62 Jacomaro 25--118 10/62 Rossi 25-118 FOREIGN PATENTS 2/5 2 Holland.

MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT F. WHITE, WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON,

Examiners.

